Ruckus in Senate over Kamil's remarks

ISLAMABAD - The Senate debate on Budget 2008-09 was marred by clash between members of treasury and opposition benches when Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, uttered indecent remarks against legendary Pukhtoon leader Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Senators of ANP Ilyas Bilour, Haji Muhammad Adil and members of the treasury benches severely criticised his remarks. Senators from the Opposition benches, including Jamal Leghari, Yasmeen Shah and others also stood and created rumpus in the House. Both sides exchanged hot words and atmosphere of the Upper House remained tense for sometime. However, the Chairman Senate expunged the words of Kamil Ali Agha from the record. Leader of the House, Mian Raza Rabbani, also stood and challenged those Senators, without mentioning their names, who used hot words with ANP Senators during the debate. He said debate in the House was going on in good and friendly atmosphere and behaviour of most of the members of both the Treasury and Opposition benches was very decent. For correction of record, Raza Rabbani explained that neither there had been any fudging nor any fine was imposed on Pakistan by the IMF during the tenure of Ishaq Dar as Finance Minister in second term of Nawaz Sharif. Chairman Senate, Mohammadmian Soomro, ruled that indecent words should not be used against towering political personalities. It is the tradition of the House and all members should care for feelings of their colleagues. Later, Jamal Leghari withdrew the words he used during the altercation. He also explained that none of the Leghari family members were involved in the extradition of Aimal Kansi to United States.